Benefits of mulch

Mulch is one of the simplest, most effective way to make your landscape healthier and easier to care for. We highly recommend mulching every year to help reduce weeds, conserve water, protect the soil and give your beds a clean, finished look. Mulch will help you create and maintain a sustainable landscape.

Benefits of mulch

Mulch greatly reduces weed growth

If you don’t enjoy spending hours weeding your garden, apply mulch. A thick layer of mulch blocks sunlight from reaching weed seeds, preventing them from germinating. Any weeds that do emerge will be easier to pull.

Mulch protects the soil

Mulch acts like a protective blanket to insulate the soil. This helps keep soil cooler in hot weather and warmer in cold weather. It also breaks the force of rain and irrigation, helping prevent erosion, soil compaction and surface crusting.

Mulch conserves water

A layer of mulch helps the soil to retain water by slowing evaporation, so plants need less frequent watering. This is especially important during dry periods and hot summer weather.

Mulch builds healthier soil

Organic mulches that contain shredded bark, leaves and/or compost gradually break down over time. As they decompose, they add organic matter and rich nutrients to the soil. This feeds earthworms, beneficial microbes and other soil life. Your plants will be stronger and more resilient.

Mulch can help reduce disease spread

Mulch creates a barrier between plants and bare soil. This helps limit the splash of soil-borne disease organisms onto leaves and flowers during rain or overhead irrigation, reducing the risk of problems like anthracnose and black spot.

Mulch can save you time and money

The less water you need to use, the lower your water bill will be. The less time you spend weeding and watering, the more time you have to enjoy your garden.

Mulch improves curb appeal

Mulch gives landscape beds a polished, tidy appearance. It helps plants stand out and adds an attractive feature to landscape beds.

The 3-3-3 rule for mulch

Many arborists and landscapers use the 3-3-3 rule as a simple guideline for mulching trees and shrubs.

Apply mulch about 3 inches deep

A mulch layer of 2 to 4 inches is generally thick enough to suppress weeds, retain soil moisture and protect roots from temperature extremes. A thinner layer will allow weeds to break through. A thicker layer may suffocate the soil and prevent water from penetrating.

Keep mulch at least 3 inches away from trunks and stems

Never pile mulch directly against the base of a tree or shrub. Leave a ring of bare soil that is at least 3 inches wide around the trunk or stems, and make the gap wider for mature trees. Avoid creating a “mulch volcano,” a cone-shaped pile of mulch that looks like a volcano with a tree sprouting out the top. Mulch that is in direct contact with the bark or trunk can suffocate roots, trap excess moisture and encourage rot and fungal disease. It can also create shelter for rodents and other pests that may damage the tree. Learn more about mulch volcanoes.

Create a mulch ring at least 3 feet wide

A tree’s roots extend outward. Creating a wide ring around young trees ensures that a large portion of the root zone benefits from moisture retention and weed suppression. It also keeps lawnmowers and string trimmers safely away from the tree base. As the tree matures, extend the mulch ring. It should ideally extend out to the drip line at the edge of the tree’s canopy.

Contact us to apply mulch

We are now doing fall mulch applications as part of our natural tree and shrub care services. We would be happy to add you to the schedule and help improve your landscape. Send us a message or call 425-486-2180.